9 Days Ultimate Safari Tour in Kenya

9 Days Ultimate Safari Tour in Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya

Guided Wildlife Kenya Safari

Visit East Africa and forge into the heart of Kenya’s finest game parks on this one-of-a-kind journey. Visit the country's amazing natural sights by day and in the evenings, kick back in the comfort of well-appointed home stays and guest houses and fall asleep to the sounds of nature to its fullest. Watch Kenya’s abundant flamingos make Lake Nakuru blush pink, pass herds of animals on the vast plains of the Masai Mara, and sip sundowners on evening game drives.

This safari trip includes a variety of accommodations depending on the destinations you will visit.

Nairobi hotel

You will stay here on your first night.

Wildlife Club of Kenya

The center has three dormitories that accommodate 58 persons and three bandas accommodating 12. There is a fully equipped kitchen, as well as dining room facilities, showers, and toilets. There is also a separate self-contained bandas with three beds, a kitchen area, and hot-water shower. You will spend your second night here.

Camping

On your third and fourth night, you will stay in a camp at Lake Naivasha.

Maasai Manyatta

You will spend your fifth night at a traditional Maasai house. Please note that the village might not have any showers whatsoever.

Tented Camp

Why this trip?

Stay in a selection of local homes and eco-friendly accommodations across Kenya’s unspoiled wilderness without sacrificing the creature comforts of home

Experience the thrill of sleeping in traditional homes and drift off to sleep to the sounds of the African night

Spot endangered black and white rhino stopping for a drink in Lake Nakuru National Park

Spend a night in a local Maasai village

Watch lions prowling the famous Masai Mara on a four-by-four game drive

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi

On arrival in Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by your host. You may wish to speak to your host regarding any additional tours or activities that you might wish to do while you are in Nairobi. There will be a trip briefing at the hotel at approximately 6 p.m. The rest of the day will be spent at your leisure. Dinner is included.

Day 2: Lake Nakuru National Park

Depart Nairobi and head northwest toward Lake Nakuru National Park (approximately four hours), arriving in time for lunch. Afterward, climb into the jeep for an afternoon game drive. Lake Nakuru is a soda lake which is home to massive numbers of flamingos (up to two million on occasion) and thousands of other birds. It has been described as the world's greatest ornithological spectacle, and at times, the lake is literally a sea of pink.

There is quite a good chance of seeing white rhinos, while black rhinos may prove to be more elusive. After spending the afternoon in the park, you will return to your hostels. Accommodation will be at Wildlife Club of Kenya. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided.

Day 3: Lake Naivasha

After a short morning game drive, enjoy a scenic drive across Kenya, traveling south along a road sandwiched between two impressive natural reserves, to Lake Naivasha (approximately three hours). One of the few freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha is bordered with flat-topped acacias and has floating islands of papyrus reeds.

It is also home to a healthy population of hippos and a tremendous variety of birds. There is an option to venture out on a boat ride through crater lake. You will be accommodated in camps

and served breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 4: Lake Naivasha

In the morning, you will join the wild in search for the herbivores, and you will have a free afternoon to explore at your leisure. See all that this vast lake must offer on a waterside bike ride or opt for time on the water instead and head out on a boat trip. If hiking is more to your tastes, then there are two spectacular walks to consider, first through the leafy hills and mountains of the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary and second to Hell's Gate National Park.

Hell's Gate is a dry trail compared to the Crater Lake path, winding its way along scenic paths through narrow cliff breaks, and is home to rare bearded vultures. Return to the camp at Lake Naivasha. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided.

Day 5: Loita Hills

You will head southwest to your next destination, the Masai Mara, arguably one of the finest game reserves in Africa (approximately six hours). The area is known for its rolling green plains and riverine woodlands, and among the many species of game, you may be lucky to observe black-maned lion, leopard, and cheetah. These predators find an abundant food supply in the massive herds of wildebeest, zebra, as well as Thomson's and Grant's gazelle that roam grasslands.

Your day will be spent in the remote region of Loita Hills, home of the traditional Maasai people. There you will spend our night with the Maasai, known for their vibrant red dress and elaborate jewelry, and gain an insight into the culture and ancient ways of this proud East African community. Meet your Maasai hosts and enjoy a fascinating talk full of insights into this remarkable and ancient culture from a local elder. Enjoy being shown around a traditional Maasai home and their cattle enclosures.

Please note that the village might not have any showers whatsoever.

Day 6: Masai Mara National Reserve

Travel from Loita to Masai Mara (approximately one to two hours). The road is dusty when dry and could be slippery and soft when wet, so the going may be slow. The Masai Mara is the quintessential African experience, with sparse open plains, dramatic skies, and some of the world's most tremendous animals. After check in to your camp, sit down to some lunch.

Then it is time to jump back on board the jeep and go for a game drive through the wilderness of the Mara. Your campground tonight is located outside of the national reserve and has flush toilets and showers. Wi-Fi is not available there, however. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided.

Day 7: Masai Mara National Reserve

Today, you will wake before dawn to start your morning game drive when the sun comes up, one of the times of the day when most animals tend to be more active. After what is hopefully an exciting game drive, you will start heading down to Mara river famously known for crocodiles and many hippos. The river is also the main crossing point for the 1.5 million wildebeest crossing every year. You will stop en-route for a picnic lunch. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Day 8: Masai Mara National Reserve

If you missed out on seeing one of the big five (lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinoceros) yesterday, never fear! This morning is free to head out on an optional four-by-four game drive or a safari balloon ride or just relax before the included afternoon game drive. Each day on the reserve is a shifting narrative, with new encounters and stories to be found as you cruise across plains.

An optional balloon ride over the Masai Mara at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. If you have pre-booked this activity, you will be picked up and driven to the launch site, receive a safety briefing from your pilot, and help inflate the balloon. You then glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, providing amazing wildlife photography opportunities, sometimes ascending to get an overview of the enormity of the Masai Mara plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds.

Upon landing, you will be treated to a bush breakfast before being returned to your vehicle. Please note if you are taking a balloon ride over the Mara, you will be taken to the launch place from your camp before dawn and returned to the group when you have finished your ride.

Please note that this activity is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a spot in a balloon. If you choose to wait and book this activity locally on the ground, you may get a better price. However, this is a popular activity, and places are limited. It is at your own discretion if you wish to pre-book this service or try and book it locally while you are on your trip. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Day 9: Nairobi

After breakfast, you will return to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon, where your safari ends (approximately five to six hours). If you are departing from Nairobi this evening, please do not book a flight to depart prior to 8 p.m. To reduce your traveling time back to Nairobi, you may wish to consider a flight from Masai Mara to Nairobi (additional cost). This gives you the chance to catch a late-afternoon international flight out of Nairobi.

Please note that the flight from Masai Mara arrives at Wilson Airport (WIL) in Nairobi. International flights leave from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). If staying on in Nairobi, you may require a transfer from Wilson Airport back to your Nairobi hotel. They can book the flight and transfer to your Nairobi hotel (additional costs involved). Breakfast and lunch provided.

In the past years, Kip (Kiptoo) has gained experience as an East African tour organizer and leader for various international tour operators. His professionalism and sincerity, as well as his exceptional understanding of the needs and desires of international visitors, have gained him renown among clients. He is co-founder and team leader of Dream It Do It East Africa Safaris.